"I still don't understand why I can't go." Morgan pouted, folding his arms over his chest in a stubborn way that could only be described as pure Scorpio. It was hard to find him anything but six year's old in his white and red Bob the Builder t-shirt and overalls. He had taken an extra half hour in the bathroom just that morning to comb his hair and study the tiny brown flecks in his coffee eyes.
"I already told you, Morgan." Robin reiterated for what seemed the hundredth time. "We're going to have dinner here with Patrick, and then Georgie is going to come over and have a sleepover with you. I told her you don't need any help getting ready for school because you're a big kid. Doesn't that sound like fun?" She could tell from the hard stare that he wasn't any more convinced now than he had been when she had first told him less than an hour ago.
"But I want to give you your present." Morgan whined purposely sticking his bottom lip out to further make his point. She had seen the look a zillion times before now so she didn't know why she hadn't become immune yet. He was almost as stubborn as she was and that wasn't necessarily a good thing, especially when he decided to use it against her to get his way.
"You can do that at dinner. I'm not just disappearing. It's one evening." Robin explained taking a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves. He was so much like Sonny, she often found herself missing her old friend desperately. She was glad though that he hadn't inherited his father's speech impediment, because she had watched Sonny struggle with it for years, sometimes being undermined by his adversaries causing full-out wars to break between the now-dissolved Five Families.
"Are you sick of me already?" Morgan asked, intentionally causing tears to spring to his eyes. Robin turned her face as soon as she noticed the crack in his voice. She could get through this. There was no reason for her to feel like leaving him in the care of her very responsible cousin was in some way a bad move on her part as a mother. Maybe this guilt trip would have worked months ago, but she wasn't about to let him manipulate her out of a nice evening. Patrick refused to tell her where they were going or what they were doing, just told her to leave tonight and tomorrow open.
"Don't be silly." Robin met his eyes immediately. "I know things have been hectic lately, and I'm sorry for that, but Patrick has been planning this for some time apparently and I don't want to hurt his feelings."
"So you like Patrick more than me?" Morgan assumed, his bottom lip trembling in growing agitation.
"Morgan Stone Corinthos, I never want to hear anything like that come out of your mouth again, do you hear me? I love you. Going out for one night doesn't change the way I feel about you. We're a family." Robin stressed each word, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at his seemingly flawless trick.
"Well Michael and A.J. are a family and they spend time together all the time." Morgan informed her short-temperedly.
"Oh yeah? Well A.J. isn't running a business. He's got it easy. All he had to do was be born in the right family to inherit a bunch of money he didn't earn." Robin knew she would regret saying this later, but she didn't like being compared to A.J. or anyone else.
"I hate that stupid bakery." Morgan pouted, throwing his hands into the air for added emphasis.
"Why do you hate the bakery?" Robin could already answer her own question, but there was a chance his reasons were different than what she thought they were.
"You spend more time there and with Patrick than with me. We never do anything together anymore." Morgan clarified, picking up a crayon he found under the couch. Robin watched in horror as he stabbed the tiny green crayon into the glass coffee table and wrote his name. Snatching the crayon from him, she was barely able to keep from throwing it across the room in anger.
"What do you think you're doing? You know better Morgan!" Robin scolded, her eyes almost completely hidden beneath her descending eyebrows.
"I hate it here! It's like living in a cage! I can't do anything!" Morgan shot back with his hands on his hips. He kicked the front right foot of Courtney's chair so hard the sound echoed off the hollow walls.
"Go to your room." Robin pointed her finger toward the stairs but, when he made no move to leave the chair alone, she took hold of his wrist and dragged him behind her, huffing when he let his legs go weak beneath him so that his entire body threw her off balance. "If I have to carry you, I will." She threatened, forcing him up each step. Her forehead was drenched with sweat by the time they reached the second landing. Morgan pulled out of her grasp and stomped off to his room, slamming his door behind him.
Robin was still fuming when Patrick showed up at her door an hour later, the only difference being her appearance. After standing in the hallway in front of Morgan's door for what felt like an eternity, she hurried to the bathroom and started to get ready. She wasn't about to let Morgan's temper tantrum spoil her birthday. Georgie had already called and promised to be there in a matter of minutes so they wouldn't have to wait long. Maybe her cousin could get him to open up about what was really bothering him. It couldn't be that he felt neglected; he was simply angry that he wasn't allowed to come along tonight.
"What, no flowers?" Robin teased after pulling open the door. She was amazed how easy it was to smile when she spied him in a silk mint green silk shirt and khaki-colored chinos.
"I didn't want to be too cliché." Patrick told her, leaning forward to place a kiss on her right cheek.
"I should hope not. You want to come in? Georgie's almost here." Robin let him pass through the door before shutting it and turning to brace her back against it. "So, are you going to tell me what we're doing tonight?"
"Nope." Patrick smiled, shaking his handsome dark head. "I will tell you that it was a collaborated effort."
"I hope you at least let someone else pick out my present." Robin replied dramatically.
"And just what is that supposed to mean? I give great presents." Patrick defended calmly.
"Oh, I know. I still have that toaster you gave me at Christmas." Robin rolled her eyes playfully.
"Everyone needs a toaster." Patrick pointed out.
"Don't I know it? If I couldn't toast bread, I don't know how I'd make it from day-to-day."
"You keep pushing and you'll be getting some shiny rocks from the flowerbed in front of the apartment."
"Oh really?" Robin gave him a knowing look. "What if I pry the information out of you?" She asked, taking a few steps toward him.
"You're welcome to try." Patrick spread his hands on either side of him in challenge.
"It's a good thing I know all of your weaknesses." Robin mused as her hands wrapped around the collar of his shirt. She let them fall down in a rapid motion, dislodging one of the top buttons.
"You think so huh? I'm not convinced." Patrick countered, pulling her backwards so that she bent in half with only his arm supporting her.
"You shouldn't underestimate me. I was raised by a spy." Robin added wiggling her eyebrows at him.
"So you think you're a badass huh? Please. You're a Twinkie."
"A Twinkie?" Robin asked, confused.
"Yes." Patrick dropped his mouth to her ear, "Soft and smooth on the outside and creamy on the inside."
"I should have knocked." Georgie interrupted her face beet-red as she regarded the engrossed couple in front of her. She twirled a loose strand of golden hair around her finger in nervousness and made her way toward the stairs. "Morgan's in his room, right? I'll just check on him--"
"Georgie." Robin called out to her and disentangled herself from Patrick. Pulling the folded piece of paper from her coin purse, she handed it to her cousin. "You have our cell numbers, the emergency numbers; Morgan is allergic to Penicillin and peanuts. If you have any questions, I've left a similar note of instructions with Mac, Courtney, and Elizabeth."
"It's all under control." Georgie promised, patting Robin's shoulders in encouragement. "I have babysat before."
"You're right. You have." Robin nodded her head, hoping she could feel a bit more confident about leaving her son in Georgie's care. There wasn't anyone better suited for the job. "If for some reason I don't answer, leave a message. Originally we were all going to eat dinner here together, but Morgan's in trouble and I couldn't get him to come out of his room so I went ahead and zapped two pizzas in the oven and there's salad and dessert in the refrigerator."
"Robin, honey, we'll never make it if you spend the entire evening quizzing Georgie." Patrick carefully steered her toward the door.
"I'm not going to apologize for being thorough. What else? Oh, Morgan is prone to coughs and high fever when the weather changes like it did this morning so if he starts to feel bad, he can have some Children's Tylenol. I keep a bottle in my medicine cabinet in my bedroom. He'll need one teaspoon of that and then he might want you to lay down and watch a movie with him. He'll be asleep before the second chorus."
"Got it." Georgie nodded helplessly as Patrick continued to get Robin out the door.
Robin didn't put up a fight when Patrick insisted on her closing her eyes and letting him lead her to their "first" destination. Ever since leaving Morgan in Georgie's care, she had been silent on the drive up. She had made enough trip to The City to realize that that's where they were headed, but she didn't voice her assumption aloud because she wanted him to think he had actually managed to surprise her.
Patrick reached across the gearshift and intertwined their fingers keeping one hand on the steering wheel. He caught himself sneaking glances at her on the drive up and she must have noticed too because she kept blushing when his eyes would settle on her face. Though he hadn't expected her to keep her eyes closed the entire drive, it was kind of nice to know that she trusted him enough to let him take her anywhere. It was still hard to believe that in less than four month's time they had managed to put five year's of animosity behind them.
"Is that a giant Teddy Bear?" Robin squinted at the aforementioned bronze bear that must have been three times her height if not larger and she was able to deduce that just from her spot in the car.
"Are your eyes open?" Patrick asked incredulously, turning the car into the direction of the only remaining parking spot in the place.
"I couldn't help it." Robin promised, chewing on her bottom lip bashfully. "This is so exciting." She went on gleefully, flipping her hair behind her ear as she strained to see past the cars obstructing her view of the entrance.
"This is just the beginning." Patrick answered smugly. After having managed to take the spot before the car to his right could realize what was happening, he turned to Robin and took in her movie star appearance. The black sweater dress ran from the top of her slender shoulders to just below her waist and was complimented with a pair of navy blue pants, nude pantyhose, and slim, black heels with a strap across her toes. She had braided her hair and pinned it to the back of her head to complete a very classy bun. He wondered if Robin knew that she didn't have to worry about him straying; she was most definitely the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"FAO Schwartz! Right?" Robin looked to Patrick for verification, her face beaming when he nodded in response. "I've never been here!"
"That's what Courtney told me." Patrick replied, watching her eyes cloud over in surprise. "Nothing's too special for you." He told her, pressing the lock button on his key ring and slipping his arm around her waist.
"That was so corny I would have thought Cruz was coaching you on how to be a gentleman." Robin leaned into his touch, but not so much so that he was keeping her standing.
"Some things I just pick up naturally." Robin smiled for his benefit even though, in the back of her mind, she was curious about what he and Courtney had talked about. Her roommate had been pretty upset at her for the decision she had made regarding Logan and she wouldn't put it past her to blab to Patrick, considering him the quickest way to get Robin to see her side of things. Logic pointed out that he wouldn't have gone to all of this trouble if he knew what she had done; nothing about the way he was holding her felt forced or in any way strained. He was genuine in this endeavor. She only hoped he'd still be talking to her once he knew.
"Yeah, like this inability to tuck in your shirt." Robin ribbed quietly, making a big production of adjusting his shirt.
"Thank you mother, I can do it myself." Patrick argued, catching her hands and pulling her toward the entrance.
Robin glanced upward as soon as they passed through the double doors, the ceiling decorated in web-like neon dots that illuminated the entire first floor. Her mouth dropped when she stared ahead, Logan and Courtney the farthest things from her mind as her mind began to process the row of stuffed animals lining each wall. The lime green carpet was separated by a light wood finish and that trail stretched out in all directions. It was intimidating and exhilarating all at once, the displays filled with a variety of toys and treats even a woman at her age could appreciate. Aside from the movie Big, she had never spent a second researching the establishment. Despite the massive amount of people filling the first floor, she in no way felt claustrophobic. Only Patrick's hand on the small of her back snapped her out of her overwhelmed trance and allowed her to move further into the toy paradise.
"What do you want to do first?" Patrick asked speculatively, his eyes catching hers.
"Where should we start?" Robin countered.
"I don't know why you're asking me. This is my first time." Patrick replied, narrowing his eyes at Robin when she started to chortle loudly. "Shut up."
"I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth, that's all." Robin insisted, slapping him lightly on the arm.
"There's an ice cream parlor around here somewhere. If you're not too worried it'll ruin your appetite, we can seek it out." Patrick suggested.
"I don't want to eat yet, I want to play." Robin answered seriously.
"Then by all means, let's go find the race cars." Patrick exclaimed, steering her in the opposite direction.
Eventually, they made their way to a small café and took their seats at the marble counter, each trying to figure out what kind of snack they wanted. Robin traced the tiny cerulean marbles with the end of her index finger unconsciously and told the man behind the counter she wanted a cup of hot chocolate. Though she figured he wanted coffee, Patrick had copied her order and made a request for extra marshmallows.
"I don't suppose either of you have seen a couple of stray pink elephants around here, have you?" A man ranging from fifty to seventy years old asked, pulling a cream-colored hat off of his mostly bald salt-and-pepper head, and setting it between Patrick and Robin to get their attention. He was dressed in a white button-down shirt and pair of khaki shorts that matched his hat. He looked like something right out of a storybook.
"I haven't. Patrick, have you?" Robin inquired, deciding to play along with the old man. His bushy mustache brought back memories of Mr. Guerin, a man who played Santa Claus at the General Hospital Christmas party every year until his untimely death three years ago.
Patrick pretended to study his napkin as if it held all of the answers he was seeking. "Pink elephants? No. I saw a few hippopotamuses though. Does that help?"
"Sadly, no." The man scratched his head, obviously deep in thought. "I apologize." He extended his hand to Robin and then to Patrick. "I am the Colonel. I'm just back from a year-long safari in Africa and, I'm happy to admit, I brought my work home with me." His half smile was contagious and Robin felt herself being transported to a time in which she had believed in magical creatures and wild adventures.
Patrick leaned closer to the old man, "What happens if the director finds out that you let them loose in the store?"
"He'll have them tranquilized and I'll probably get harpooned or something just as awful." Colonel assumed, bowing his head in shame.
"Maybe we could help you find them." Robin offered, handing Patrick's cup to him before lifting hers to her lips.
"I don't know Miss. This is dangerous work." Colonel warned sternly.
"Well we're not about to send you in alone, are we Patrick?" Robin met her boyfriend's chocolate eyes and smiled brightly.
"Of course not. Besides, you're an expert. I'm sure with a little bit of training you could teach us everything we need to know." Patrick stated simply.
"Like how to watch out for an ambush or spot a pool of quicksand from a mile off." Robin put in with a confident nod.
"Alright. We must first collect supplies for this long journey. To the second floor!" Colonel shouted, urging them to follow him.
The second floor was where they found the famous Dance-On Piano. Taking a break from their strenuous "journey" through the perilous "forest," the Colonel and the couple headed over to the attraction, clumsily cutting in front of a growing crowd that was blocking their path. The Colonel either didn't notice the professional dancers tapping away at the keys or he simply didn't pay them any attention, because a second later, he was up there with them, playing out a harmonious melody for his new friends. He waved his hat in the air as his feet crossed and uncrossed, tapped and stomped to his original concerto.
Robin clapped along with the crowd while Patrick shot whistles of approval his way. Throwing caution to the wind, they each jumped onto the piano once everyone but the Colonel stepped down and started pounding out a beat that was unknown even to them. It took a minute to make their notes fall into sync, first with the other's and then with the Colonel. Patrick played the air guitar as his feet skidded across the keys and Robin flipped her hair up and smiled at the crowd. Collapsing into a pile a foot or so from the piano, the three adults lost the battle and let their giggles overtake them.
"Jolly good show chaps!" The Colonel congratulated them. "Oh, and happy birthday Robin." He winked at her and disappeared before she could ask him how he had known it was her birthday. A quick look to Patrick proved that there was a strong possibility he had set the whole thing up.
"You're pretty incredible, you know that?" Robin whispered to him, letting him pull her to her feet.
"I keep telling you." Patrick responded, kissing the tip of her nose.
"We still have another floor to go. Come on!" Robin pushed him toward the closest escalator and then they took the next one once they reached the first floor landing. The lower floor was dedicated to a long row of baby dolls behind a plate of glass and what was called the Book Nook. It took about a second for Patrick to convince her to go to the bookstore as opposed to the nursery. In a matter of minutes, he was able to find every book his mother had ever read him as a small boy including Jaws. For old time's sake, he flipped to the part of the book his mother had ripped out the pictures to and easily located the sex scene. Robin must have noticed his chuckle and found it interesting, because she turned her attention from the Green Eggs & Ham book she was currently holding to stare at him in wonder.
"What's funny?" Robin wanted to know, peeking around his arm as if she expected the words to jump out at her.
"My mother read me this book when I was younger. Only, when she brought it home, there were a bunch of pages missing. When I suggested she take it back to the store and demand her money back, she refused and read the book to me anyway. I was in a bookstore years later and picked up this same book and found out why the pages had been torn out. Sex scene." Patrick explained.
Robin's mouth fell open in mock surprise. "A sex scene?" She replied in a harsh whisper.
Patrick handed over his car keys to the valet, making sure to leave him a few extra dollars to insure that his car would be there when he and Robin were ready to head out. He didn't want to have to deal with finding a place to park: they were running too close to being late for the reservations. Any other time he could have talked the hostess into holding their spot, but it seemed his powers of persuasion were suspended. He tried not to pout at her clipped tone when she told him they could either show up on time or have their dinner at the nearest McDonald's. If he hadn't wanted the best for Robin tonight, he would have told her where she could put the reservation, but he had swallowed his tongue and gotten them out of FAO Schwartz in record time.
"I feel a little underdressed." Robin whispered to Patrick, spotting a waitress coming to greet them at the door.
"Not at all. You look incredible." Patrick assured her, giving her a kiss on the cheek before turning to the hostess. She didn't like quite so small-hearted in person, but he recognized the stern lift of her chin. Deciding not to press his luck, he gave her his name and waited for her to find it on the lengthy list in front of her.
"Ah yes, Patrick Drake. You must be Robin." The hostess, Clarity as her nametag displayed, extended her hand to Robin. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you." Robin beamed back at her, but Patrick could tell she was a little uncomfortable.
"If you'll follow me, I've made sure you won't be disturbed." Clarity ushered them to a small table in the back. The linen tablecloths, fine china, and pink flower sitting in a small glass in the middle of the table were quite remarkable. Patrick pulled out her chair and pushed it in once she took her seat before selecting the chair directly in front of her. "Dinner should be out shortly. Would you like me to bring you some appetizers or maybe a little dessert?"
"I think we're okay, Clarity. We'll let you know." Patrick told her, effortlessly dismissing her. Stretching his hand across the table, he took Robin's hand in his and brought it to his lips. "How are you liking your birthday so far?"
"So far? What else do you have planned?" Robin wanted to know.
"I guess you'll just have to wait and see." Patrick replied just because he enjoyed watching her squirm.
"You're mean." Robin accused, shaking her finger at him.
"I was going to have them bring you your present after dinner, but if you want it now, I can send for it." Patrick offered good-naturedly.
"No, that's something I think I can wait for. However, it has been an awfully long time since you've kissed me." Robin pointed out, meeting his eyes.
"I apologize." Patrick murmured, letting their lips meet in a tentative kiss.
"Mmm." Robin sighed, breaking the contact. "How do they already know what we want to have for dinner?"
"I made this reservation over a month ago. If you don't like what they bring us, we can send it back and they'll make whatever you want, whether it's on the menu or not." Patrick explained reassuringly.
"I'm sure I'll like it." Robin decided, glancing to her right where New York City was laid out in one long strip of lights and skyscrapers.
"Do you see this flower?" Patrick gestured to the tiny pink plant in the center of the table, its petals soft to the touch.
"Yes I do. Is there some significance?" Robin asked as she ran her thumb across the rim of the glass.
"Actually, there is. You see, this is a Camellia flower. They're native from Eastern and Southern Asia as well as the Himalayas, Japan, and Indonesia." Patrick ticked off each place on his fingers.
"Is that right?" Robin smiled, wondering when he had had the time to research an exotic flower.
Picking the flower from the glass, he carefully dropped it into Robin's cupped hand. "The Camellia flower means, 'My destiny is in your hands.'" He closed her hand around the tiny flower, wiping away the tears he noticed collecting on Robin's cheeks. "Don't cry babe."
"Is my makeup running?" Robin wanted to know, touching her face to inspect the damage this sudden onset of tears was inflicting.
"No." Patrick shook his head, resting his hand over hers. "You're beautiful."
"You're biased." Robin argued, realizing that she hadn't been able to fit a mirror in her purse.
"Nah, I don't think I am. You know me. I have an image to uphold…what do you think you're doing here?" He teased, watching a smile spread across her face. "Speaking of, how do I look?"
"Very handsome indeed." Robin took the time to appreciate each feature of his face with her eyes and then reached out and traced his face with her fingers.
"You're not going to mold me into clay, are you?" Patrick asked, worried.
"I might take your picture." Robin responded coolly.
"I might take your picture." Patrick argued, holding her face in his hand.
"Mixing business and pleasure can be dangerous, I've heard." Robin advised him.
"I think after our little safari, we're ready for anything." Patrick reminded her, sliding his fingers through her hair.
"Chasing pink elephants classifies as dangerous?" Robin screwed up her face.
"Letting me dance in public was pretty brave. Letting you dance in public…well I should be getting in that Purple Heart any day now." Patrick mocked, smiling broadly when she slapped his hand away from her face.
"Here we are!" Clarity had chosen the perfect time to interrupt. She laid the rack of lamb in front of them, set out two plates and silverware, and asked if they needed anything else.
"Actually Clarity," Robin spoke up, surprising Patrick who had the first bite halfway to his mouth. "Is there any way we can get this to go?"
Neither Patrick nor Robin spoke on the drive back to his apartment. He was still in shock that she had suggested it though she probably thought he was feeling put off about the dinner plans. Clarity had been a saint about the whole thing and Patrick figured she was at least human where Robin was concerned.
The sexual tension made it hard to breathe in the now-confined space of Patrick's Ferrari. He couldn't even touch her hand without worrying where that might lead. Intent rested deep inside Robin's hazel eyes. Every time she even attempted conversation, Patrick would grow uncomfortable and start prattling on about something innocuous.
Robin neither appreciated the silence nor wanted to press the issue to make Patrick talk to her so she slid down her seat and held her head in her palms. Even in the very beginning when sex had been nothing more than an idea, a mere possibility, it had never been crushing. She had depended on his massive ego to steer her toward something she later recognized as confidence, but now she was at a loss.
"I kept the flower." Robin told him, desperate to make conversation. She showed him the tiny plant and he forced himself to smile. "I know it has been a while since we've made love--" She began, deciding that it'd better to tread forward than wander around the broken glass.
"Jesus Robin, do you want me to drive off of the road?" Patrick asked sharply, his tone accusatory.
"No, of course not. I was only saying that, if you're not comfortable—" Robin tried again, but he was so quick to cut her off a second time she wondered why she had even bothered.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Patrick challenged gripping the steering wheel as he stared straight ahead.
"I'm sure I want to be with you tonight." Robin answered carefully.
"You don't have to prove anything to me." Patrick informed her.
"I'm not trying to prove anything, Patrick. I simply miss being with you." Robin insisted.
"You're with me right now." Patrick told her distractedly, pulling into the small parking garage and killing the engine.
"You know what I mean. We're in control of our life together. I don't want one more moment stolen away from us." Robin announced. She leaned across the seat and caught his lips with hers, wrapping her hands around his neck to pull him closer.
"Whoa, whoa." Patrick managed between kisses as she climbed into his lap. "Let's slow this down a little sweetheart."
"But I need you." Robin whispered against his ear, surging into him with enough pressure to make his breath catch.
"Patience never was your area of expertise." Patrick hoped his little joke would ease the tension and, when she smiled back at him, he was almost certain it had worked.
"Let's take a closer look at your area of expertise." Robin suggested, swiping her hands down his shirt. The majority of the buttons gave way under her hands but two held strong.
"Robin." Patrick turned his face away from her, dislodging their lips in an instant.
"What? What's the matter?" Robin demanded kissing all over his face.
"This. You're not ready." Patrick concluded, pushing her off of him and stumbling out of the car.
"Yes I am!" Robin shouted after him, causing him to stop abruptly.
"No you're not!" Patrick retorted hotly. "If you'd like to come upstairs, I would really like to give you your present."
"Why are you being like this?" Robin wanted to know, advancing on him. "I know I'm not alone in the way I feel."
"Do I want to make love to you? Yes! But I'm not going to willingly go through with something you're uncomfortable with." Patrick told her.
"You don't make any sense. You're Patrick Drake. Seduction is your main game, isn't it?" Robin ridiculed with disregard.
"Not with you." Patrick shook his head.
"Oh please. This whole day was a setup. You wanted a payoff and I'm giving you one. Why do you have to go and mess up a good thing?" Robin shrieked angrily.
"That's a real potshot. You really believe I think so little of you?" Patrick inquired, his eyes expressing hurt and astonishment.
"I didn't say that! I just don't understand why you're turning me away when I'm more than willing—"
"Stop it! Just stop it!" Patrick ordered, squeezing his eyes shut.
"I want to go home." Robin folded her arms over her chest in defiance.
"Fine." Patrick barked back.